UN Security Council prepares 'further measures' against North Korea

United Nations: The UN Security Council today agreed to prepare further unspecified measures against North Korea after it carried out a fourth nuclear test. The 15-member council including China, Pyongyang's ally, "strongly condemned" the test and described it as a "clear threat to international peace and security."

Uruguay's Ambassador Elbio Rosselli, this month's council president, recalled that the council had threatened to take "further significant measures" if Pyongyang violated UN resolutions by testing an atomic device.

Representational image. Reuters

"In line with this commitment and the gravity of this violation, the members of the Security Council will begin to work immediately on such measures in a new Security Council resolution," said Rosselli.

The envoy did not specify whether the new measure would extend sanctions against North Korea, but other diplomats confirmed that adding new names to the sanctions list was being considered.

North Korea said it had carried out a "successful" miniaturised hydrogen bomb test -- a shock announcement that, if confirmed, would massively raise the stakes in the hermit state's bid to strengthen its nuclear arsenal.

He stressed that it was in violation of numerous Security Council resolutions barring Pyongyang from engaging in nuclear activities. Three previous tests in 2006, 2009 and 2013 triggered waves of UN sanctions.

Currently there are a total of 20 entities and 12 individuals on the UN sanctions blacklist. British Ambassador Matthew Rycroft said his delegation was "working with others on a resolution on further sanctions."